The Science Behind A1 and A2 Milk for Children

Milk and dairy products are an inseparable part of Indian diet. However, there has been some debate on A1 and A2 milk? Are you aware of the facts related to A1 and A2 milk? Read on to find more about the science behind A1 and A2 milk.We know that milk is important for healthy development of children – but are we feeding them the right milk? It is highly believed that the quality of milk depends predominantly on the cow breed. How is organic milk different from regular milk? Could some people be intolerant to a certain protein in a certain kind of milk? This article is based on a debate between A1 and A2 milk. In this articleWhere Does the Debate Come From?A1 Milk Versus A2 MilkDesi Cows Predominantly Produce A2 MilkWhat Could be Done to Promote High-Quality A2 Milk?Conclusion1. Where Does the Debate Come From?Milk is unarguably the best source of nutrition for children and adults alike, as it contains about 85% water, and the remaining 15% is milk sugar lactose, protein, fat and minerals. The protein portion is 80% casein which comes in several types and 20% whey, which does not coagulate as milk acidifies. The debate between A1 and A2 milk has risen since the publication of an article written by Dr. Tom Cowan on the book ‘The Devil in the Milk’ which claims that cows had made a genetic split around 5000 years ago, which resulted in two major cow types.2. A1 Milk Versus A2 MilkA2 beta-casein is the casein cows have produced since they were domesticated, which was always considered safe and nutritious with no negative effects on human health. It is also licensed and marketed by the A2 Milk Company and sold to major developed countries. However, there was a natural genetic mutation in European cows that changed the beta-casein they produced. This new kind of beta-casein was named A1 beta-casein, believed to be harmful to human health.Milk high in A1 beta-casein is found in cows of European descent such as the Holstein, Friesian, British Shorthorn and Ayrshire. Due to mutation, a particular amino acid Histidine is believed to be harmful to health and can result in Type 1 diabetes, heart disease, sudden infant death syndrome, digestive intolerance and autism in children. BCM-7 present in A1 milk is also believed to be a poisonous agent, which allegedly reacts with the digestive system, internal organs and brainstem. On the other hand, though research tests have been conducted, there is only mixed evidence and no conclusions.3. Desi Cows Predominantly Produce A2 MilkIndian cows such as the Gir and Vechur predominantly produce A2 milk, but recent cross-breeding with foreign cow breeds has led to their extinction. Cow experts say that Desi breeds have been neglected in order to feed the growing population. This is mainly done by keeping cows that give high fat content milk or resorting to adulteration.In some other cases, the animal fat in milk is replaced with cheap fatty solids such as vegetable oil, urea or pork fat. Moreover, they also believe that the unnatural feeding of dairy cows, confinement, lack of sunlight and green pasture and homogenisation seem to contribute more to health issues than cow genetics. Moreover, Indian cows need far less maintenance while foreign cows are treated with antibiotics as they are susceptible to diseases. They are recognised by a hump on their back and large horns. It is also believed that the Suryaketu nerve on the back absorbs medicinal elements from the atmosphere making their milk more nourishing.4. What Could be Done to Promote High-Quality A2 Milk?For more milk production, it is essential for cows to graze in unsprayed green pasture and enjoy fresh air and sunlight. Moreover, there should be visual examination of the milk for colour and smell along with the presence of fat soluble vitamins and minerals. Moreover, there should be proper infrastructure to test the quality of milk for pathogens and tell the difference between A1 and A2 milk. However, the situation in dairy farms is very poor in reality, which needs to be improved to ensure high-quality milk.5. ConclusionIn a predominantly vegetarian country like India, milk is an important source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. If you feel that A1 milk is harder to digest, you can always opt for A2 milk by paying a premium price. As for the debate between the quality of A1 and A2 milk, research has purely been done on animals. Therefore, no conclusion has yet risen out of it.A few studies do indicate the presence of harmful substances present in A1 or regular milk. Similarly, there have been no outstanding results regarding the consumption of A2 milk. It is believed that A2 milk is beneficial for the lactose intolerant, and people are more inclined towards it. However, in the end, the fact remains that this debate is yet to reach a conclusion.What is the difference between A1 and A2 milk? Is A2 milk healthier than A1 milk? How to know if the milk that we give to our children every day is healthy? Discuss here.